Columns

Jessica has written considerably for us here at Complete Running – mostly focusing on the ultra and trail running scenes. She’s been particularly busy lately over at her blog About Mark IocchelliAlso known as the “Running Blogfather”, I’m a 40-something marathoner who has beaten stress fractures and terrible shin splints. Now I’m running double the […]

Also known as the "Running Blogfather", I'm a 40-something marathoner who has beaten stress fractures and terrible shin splints. Now I'm running double the mileage with no pain - and I'm getting faster.
I love to talk about running form and Arthur Lydiard. I also enjoy taking photographs, have a beautiful (and very patient!) wife, and am the proud father of two crazy kids.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments about the site.

About Mark IocchelliAlso known as the “Running Blogfather”, I’m a 40-something marathoner who has beaten stress fractures and terrible shin splints. Now I’m running double the mileage with no pain – and I’m getting faster. I love to talk about running form and Arthur Lydiard. I also enjoy taking photographs, have a beautiful (and very […]

Also known as the "Running Blogfather", I'm a 40-something marathoner who has beaten stress fractures and terrible shin splints. Now I'm running double the mileage with no pain - and I'm getting faster.
I love to talk about running form and Arthur Lydiard. I also enjoy taking photographs, have a beautiful (and very patient!) wife, and am the proud father of two crazy kids.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments about the site.

I love running. I don’t love swimming, biking, push-ups, weightlifting, discus throwing, tossing the caber or Johnny on the Pony About Mike AntonucciI ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell of Jamaica are both teammates and rivals. They both have Olympic gold medals. They are the current and former world record holders in the 100 meters. But can they dance? About Mike AntonucciI ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

I needed to free up my eponymous blog for other writing endeavors and so decided last month to create RunningIsFunny.com for all of my running-related blogging. About Mike AntonucciI ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

I took a short break from writing about running because I had to take a short break from running. For the second year in a row, my marathon training and Boston aspirations were sidelined About Mike AntonucciI ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

Last weekend I ran a local 5k that was conventional in every way but one—the race began and finished in a cemetery. Normally I would consider a run through a graveyard in July’s sweltering heat About Mike AntonucciI ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

Flotrack‘s Christopher Kelsall recently interviewed Nobuya “Nobby” Hashizume, a coach of the Lydiard method and one of the co-founders of the Arthur Lydiard Foundation. In the interview, they discuss the popularity and success of the Lydiard method, coaching in Japan and the United States, tricks to running fast, and why it’s important to do everything […]

Also known as the "Running Blogfather", I'm a 40-something marathoner who has beaten stress fractures and terrible shin splints. Now I'm running double the mileage with no pain - and I'm getting faster.
I love to talk about running form and Arthur Lydiard. I also enjoy taking photographs, have a beautiful (and very patient!) wife, and am the proud father of two crazy kids.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments about the site.

The Olympics begin in two weeks, and as much as we admire all those amazing athletes from around the world, it’s extremely difficult to identify with them. About Mike AntonucciI ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

One of CompleteRunning.com’s most popular columns of all-time is a list of 25 Celebrities Who’ve Run a Marathon by Mark Iocchelli. About Mike AntonucciI ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

Dateline London: “Athletes looking for a performance boost are increasingly turning to a little blue pill more usually taken for its off-the-field benefits: Viagra. About Mike AntonucciI ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

I happen to be in Washington, DC for this Independence Day weekend, and how better to celebrate than an early morning run. Of course, you are reading this on July 4th, the traditional Independence Day About Mike AntonucciI ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

There is plenty of advice here, and on other websites, about how to improve your running. But what do you do on those days when nothing seems to work? You know what I mean. About Mike AntonucciI ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

Writing a humor column about running isn’t exactly curing cancer, but I have pride, too. So it’s doubly difficult when I come up with an idea, only to find someone else has already written an awesomely funny article on the topic. About Mike AntonucciI ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

Before you were a runner there is no way you would have paid $90 for a pair of sneakers–every six months. Before you were a runner you thought people who were running just before a race were insane. About Mike AntonucciI ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

Politics is a marathon, not a sprint. That is, of course, unless you entered the ACLI Capital Challenge in Washington, DC. The 27-year-old race benefits the DC Special Olympics and features teams of elected officials and federal employees. You wouldn’t expect to find speedsters on the floor of the House or the Senate, but you […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

Too old to win anymore? Here’s one race that levels the playing field for veteran runners. The Buzz Oates No Excuses 5k in Sacramento, California, is the brainchild of Rich Hanna of Capital Road Race Management. About Mike AntonucciI ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

Sure, anyone can post a video of a treadmill accident on the Internet, but it takes thought and creativity to rise to the top of this YouTube sub-genre. About Mike AntonucciI ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

The following is excerpted from a document recently discovered during an archaeological dig near Athens. It appears to be a running log with the name Pheidippides scrawled upon it. About Mike AntonucciI ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

Type that phrase into Google and you get 43,000 hits (plus 48 videos). But who wants to go through all those agonizing drills? Here are 10 surefire ways to improve your speed. About Mike AntonucciI ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

Until last week, I thought running was about shin splints, pasta, sweat, fartleks and “the wall.” Now I’ve learned that for some of you it’s also about clothes, jewelry, hors d’oeuvres, and fine wines. About Mike AntonucciI ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

In running, being over the hill just means you’re picking up steam. If the blogosphere is any judge, the biggest news out of last week’s London Marathon was not Ryan Hall’s blistering 2:06:17, nor the fact that it was only good enough for fifth place in a race where a record six men finished under […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

Does your running apparel correctly reflect your running status? Ah yes, as if we didn’t have enough to worry about when it comes to suiting up and accessorizing for a race – pronating, wicking, chafing, bouncing – the list goes on and on. But there’s also the issue of what your togs say about what […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

I don’t know how many other Californians take Patriots’ Day off, but I’ll be camped out in front of the television instead of at my desk. About Mike AntonucciI ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

The Boston Marathon. The Peachtree Road Race. The Fifth Avenue Mile. And now, the Glamour Stiletto Run. About Mike AntonucciI ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

Back when I was a kid (you know, right around the time of the Civil War), one of the most exciting days of the school year was when the Scholastic Book shipment arrived. For those of you who can’t remember a time before computers and Amazon.com, Scholastic had an arrangement with schools in which a small catalog of children’s books was handed out to the kids every month. Then you would

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

I promise not to be graphic in discussing this topic, but I will be candid. I’ll also ease into it gradually, so you’ll have multiple opportunities to click on this handy modesty link, which will take you to the Complete Running home page with no harm done. About Mike AntonucciI ran 6-minute miles when I […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

If you’re one of the people I love About Mark IocchelliAlso known as the “Running Blogfather”, I’m a 40-something marathoner who has beaten stress fractures and terrible shin splints. Now I’m running double the mileage with no pain – and I’m getting faster. I love to talk about running form and Arthur Lydiard. I also […]

Also known as the "Running Blogfather", I'm a 40-something marathoner who has beaten stress fractures and terrible shin splints. Now I'm running double the mileage with no pain - and I'm getting faster.
I love to talk about running form and Arthur Lydiard. I also enjoy taking photographs, have a beautiful (and very patient!) wife, and am the proud father of two crazy kids.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments about the site.

Most runners choose races based on the location, the terrain, the crowds, or the reputation. I often choose them for the food. For years I ran a nasty, hilly 5-mile trail race because of the post-race pancakes and sausage. The California International Marathon serves up warm tomato soup, but this pales in comparison to the hearty minestrone ladled out at the Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay. The one race

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

I’ve been happily watching the new, search-able Running Blog Family directory fill up. It’s been fun to watch. Here are some fun facts. About Mark IocchelliAlso known as the “Running Blogfather”, I’m a 40-something marathoner who has beaten stress fractures and terrible shin splints. Now I’m running double the mileage with no pain – and […]

Also known as the "Running Blogfather", I'm a 40-something marathoner who has beaten stress fractures and terrible shin splints. Now I'm running double the mileage with no pain - and I'm getting faster.
I love to talk about running form and Arthur Lydiard. I also enjoy taking photographs, have a beautiful (and very patient!) wife, and am the proud father of two crazy kids.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments about the site.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about my turn near the front of my half-marathon training group comprised mostly of beginners. By unfortunate coincidence, an injury forced me About Mike AntonucciI ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

There was a time when I was able to easily visit all of the members of the Running Blog Family. About Mark IocchelliAlso known as the “Running Blogfather”, I’m a 40-something marathoner who has beaten stress fractures and terrible shin splints. Now I’m running double the mileage with no pain – and I’m getting faster. […]

Also known as the "Running Blogfather", I'm a 40-something marathoner who has beaten stress fractures and terrible shin splints. Now I'm running double the mileage with no pain - and I'm getting faster.
I love to talk about running form and Arthur Lydiard. I also enjoy taking photographs, have a beautiful (and very patient!) wife, and am the proud father of two crazy kids.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments about the site.

A Crunchy Nana? What’s that? Well, it’s a runner, of course! A runner from our blog community to be precise about it. Let’s get to know this oddly labeled runner. Nora doesn’t like mushy bananas. Nope. They give her a fit. She likes Crunchy Nanas. Yup. Every last bit. (sorry, my boy is five and […]

Also known as the "Running Blogfather", I'm a 40-something marathoner who has beaten stress fractures and terrible shin splints. Now I'm running double the mileage with no pain - and I'm getting faster.
I love to talk about running form and Arthur Lydiard. I also enjoy taking photographs, have a beautiful (and very patient!) wife, and am the proud father of two crazy kids.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments about the site.

My lovely wife signed up for a 10-week half-marathon training program and I decided to join her. The program is organized by the local Fleet Feet store and primarily About Mike AntonucciI ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

Last week, you got your first look at the new-look CRN, as well as the enhancements to the Running Blog Family(RBF) directory. Those changes were only the beginning. About Mark IocchelliAlso known as the “Running Blogfather”, I’m a 40-something marathoner who has beaten stress fractures and terrible shin splints. Now I’m running double the mileage […]

Also known as the "Running Blogfather", I'm a 40-something marathoner who has beaten stress fractures and terrible shin splints. Now I'm running double the mileage with no pain - and I'm getting faster.
I love to talk about running form and Arthur Lydiard. I also enjoy taking photographs, have a beautiful (and very patient!) wife, and am the proud father of two crazy kids.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments about the site.

Women tend to have their body image issues during the warm weather months, but some of us guys have ours during the winter. We stave off facing them as long as possible by wearing our singlets and shorts even when the About Mike AntonucciI ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

In the inaugural post of this series I’d like to introduce you to a runner who truly rocks. Meet Andrew—the Downeast Runner. Have you read Andrew’s blog? No? Well, you should. It’s packed full of running wisdom. And, although you won’t find a lot of exclamation points in Andrew’s writing (he’s a rather understated kind […]

Also known as the "Running Blogfather", I'm a 40-something marathoner who has beaten stress fractures and terrible shin splints. Now I'm running double the mileage with no pain - and I'm getting faster.
I love to talk about running form and Arthur Lydiard. I also enjoy taking photographs, have a beautiful (and very patient!) wife, and am the proud father of two crazy kids.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments about the site.

To start the year, we’re making some big changes here at CRN so, come on down and check things out. If you are an RSS subscriber, make sure you visit the site because there are quite a few features you won’t be able to see from Bloglines. In addition to a completely new look for […]

Also known as the "Running Blogfather", I'm a 40-something marathoner who has beaten stress fractures and terrible shin splints. Now I'm running double the mileage with no pain - and I'm getting faster.
I love to talk about running form and Arthur Lydiard. I also enjoy taking photographs, have a beautiful (and very patient!) wife, and am the proud father of two crazy kids.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments about the site.

Most people around here know about the Running Blog Family Directory (RBF) – the web’s most ginormous list of running blogs. Until yesterday, the RBF was a one trick pony – it was just a big ol’ list. Well, the RBF just went through a huge upgrade About Mark IocchelliAlso known as the “Running Blogfather”, […]

Also known as the "Running Blogfather", I'm a 40-something marathoner who has beaten stress fractures and terrible shin splints. Now I'm running double the mileage with no pain - and I'm getting faster.
I love to talk about running form and Arthur Lydiard. I also enjoy taking photographs, have a beautiful (and very patient!) wife, and am the proud father of two crazy kids.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments about the site.

January is a strange time of year for runners, since we are already taking care of many of the top New Year’s resolutions. But that doesn’t mean the practice is completely without merit. I’ve generated a few for myself: About Mike AntonucciI ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

The dog days of summer are long gone. It’s cold, dark and damp outside. Some of you may already be dealing with ice and snow. Fortunately, runners carry with them all year long the remnants of those bright, shiny rays of sunshine. I’m speaking, of course, of runner’s tan. Yes, we run those endless miles […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

As I lay face-down in the gravel, bleeding, my mind searched frantically for the answer to the one question that was of immediate and critical importance to me: What is the penalty for animal cruelty in Sacramento County? I was eight miles into my one and only opportunity for a 20-miler. I needed it to […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

Short answer: not yet. It has been two months since I completed the peak performance program at Canyon Ranch in Tucson, in an effort to determine whether a middle-aged, middle-of-the-packer could benefit from the same kind of attention and advice lavished on elite runners. I have given all the recommendations a fair trial—well, except for […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

If you have been following my trek through the peak performance program at Canyon Ranch in Tucson, you know I have had to fast for 12 hours, play video games using my legs, give blood, scan my bones and body fat, run a 4-degree grade at 8.5 mph with an oxygen mask over my face, […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

Read the entire account of Mike’s experience: part one, part two, part three, part four, and part five. Having recovered sufficiently from my VO2 max test to understand spoken English, I sat down with exercise physiologist Mike Siemens to examine the results. Mike explained the uses of the test: to measure work potential, general health […]

I ran 6-minute miles when I was in the military, then tapered for 20 years. Two-time marathoner (3:43 PR), my next goal is to stay healthy enough to run another. There are literally thousands of people handing out running advice and serious tips. I prefer to focus on the humorous or odd facets of our shared obsession. Let's face it, running is funny.

So, it appears that another fall is upon us. Fall, if I may be blunt, ROCKS. Straight up Kicks Tail and Takes Names, as far as running is concerned. Summer gets all the glory, winter gets all the tough cred, and spring gets all the beauty and joy, but for me, fall is the time […]

Jank is the nom-de-plume (alias) of Bill Jankowski. Jank is a runner (defined as “one who runs”, without any necessary claims of athleticism). More accurate would be to say that he enjoys the company of his iPod, and goes to great lengths to get long periods of time alone with his thoughts. Plus, running is a wonderful way to keep his ego in check. He’s been physically active since he was a kid (assuming that, for the years 1995-1999 and 2001-2003, drinking counts as “active”), playing Soccer, Flag Football, Basketball, and Softball while in college (for his fraternity’s B-team)(Actually, add 1990-1994 to the years of inactivity). In addition to running, Jank swims (controlled drowning), bikes (’cause his mom suggested he play in traffic as a kid), and kayaks (see swimming, but with sharks and props).
An engineer by the grace of God, a (recovering) submariner by the graces of the taxpayers of the United States, and an MBA by mistake, Bill enjoys gear (oooh, shiny!), cycling (oooh, shiny bikes and clothes!), and poking at accepted ideas with a pointy stick. In 2004, Jank decided he didn’t want to go full-over to being fat, and took up running (instead of stopping eating). In 2005, he finished his first marathon (WooHoo!) in October, and his second two weeks later (dumb idea). He is still recovering.
Bill lives in Connecticut (the poorer, eastern part) with his lovely wife Melissa (who is far more fit than he is and way less navel-gazing about it), and their two sons, Jake and Nate, who, in addition to having deliberately cool names, are the finest children to grace the Earth (clear proof that “evolution through natural selection” is bunk; although he still questions the monthly bill for “Pool Boy” despite not having a swimming pool). His rants can be found at runmystic.jankowskis.net; his best stuff is found here at CRN.